Avon Park is on an eight-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Fort Meade is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Avon Park Red Devils will welcome the Fort Meade Miners at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Avon Park took a six-run defeat the last time they faced off against Hardee, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. Avon Park had just enough and edged out Hardee 7-6.
Paisley Macias made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits. Macias was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in two of her four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Skylar Hicks was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Kinley DeLoach was another key player, scoring a run and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-3.
Avon Park kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Fort Meade hadn't done well against Winter Haven recently (they were 0-4 in their previous four matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. Fort Meade blew past Winter Haven 10-1. The result was nothing new for the Miners, who have now won four matches by six runs or more so far this season.
Cailynn Johnson was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. That home run marked the first that she launched this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Makayla Deleon, who scored three runs and stole Three bases. while going 3-for-3.
Avon Park is on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 5-2 record this season. Fort Meade's victory bumped their record up to 5-1.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Avon Park hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .320. However, it's not like Fort Meade struggles in that department as they've averaged .387. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Avon Park came out on top in a nail-biter against Fort Meade in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 7-6. Does Avon Park have another victory up their sleeve, or will Fort Meade turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
